To do that, the second-year varsity player and the rest of the Titans will need to overcome an 18-loss season. They will also have to wait until the 19th of this month to start when they play against Corpus Christi John Paul.

"We didn't have a lot of chemistry with each other," the senior said about last season. "We went in thinking we were going to win some games based on talent. We didn't."

While the Titans missed out on the playoffs last season with 14 wins, issues on the court hurt their chances to get there.

"We had trouble last year with turnovers," said Titans coach John Grammer. "We played really good defense last year, but when you turn the ball over, you're at a disadvantage."

"We've got to develop some leadership and some depth," Grammer added.

To do that, Grammer will add returning starter Deondric Lofton along with seniors T.J. Cleveland and Justin Shaw. All three seniors played on the varsity football team.

"They'll just add some athleticism and some size," Grammer said.

New year for Calhoun

Aaron Anderson benefited from his first season at Calhoun.

The Sandcrabs grabbed their second straight District 30-4A title and made a trip to the Class 4A regional semifinals, where they lost to Northside Brennan. However, the Sandcrabs will not have Isaac Cardona, who graduated and is attending Lubbock Christian.

"I just talk to the younger guys about the expectations and putting guys in positions where they have a chance," Anderson said. "We'll be in position to do well in games."

The Sandcrabs will start their season against Corpus Christi Carroll at home Tuesday in hopes to claim their third straight district title. It doesn't help that Sandcrabs will be without four returning players, all of whom will be playing in Friday's bi-district opener against Floresville.

"We just try to do what we can without them," Anderson said. "We'll worry about them when they finish."

West looks to improve

West coach Pat Erskine doesn't believe it will be difficult for the Warriors to be better.

The Warriors lost Victoria Advocate All Area Team seniors James Murphy and Akeem Green, but Erskine sees the team getting better as the season progresses.

The Warriors open up their season on the road against Corpus Christi John Paul Tuesday night on the road.

"Our expectations are we've gotten smarter in a lot of our positions," Erskine said. "Last year, we were limited to the number of players who can score. We put a tough preseason schedule to get ready for district."

Though Erskine said the team is a bit inexperienced, "at times, we can be really good."

Sophomore Ruben Trevino, who was also named the Advocate's Newcomer of the Year in April, will be one of several players that will make a contribution to the team.

"We have some (players) that we expect big things from," Erskine said.